[17724] in APO-L
Re: Question for the Gods of Robert's Rules
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Michael Leahy)
Sat Nov 22 18:01:44 1997
Date: Sat, 22 Nov 1997 17:38:14 -0500
Reply-To: Michael Leahy <Michael.Leahy@VT.EDU>
From: Michael Leahy <Michael.Leahy@VT.EDU>
To: Multiple recipients of list APO-L <APO-L@VM.CC.PURDUE.EDU>
In-Reply-To: <199711221437.JAA18418@listserv.vt.edu>
Paul,
My first question is for you: what provisions do your bylaws make for
changing the bylaws? Most chapters require one or two weeks between the
time the proposal is made and the time the chapter votes.
Second, under Robert's Rules, you can suspend rules of parliamentary
procedure, but you are not allowed to suspend your bylaws unless your
bylaws specifically allow it (and typically the permission is for one or
two clauses, not the entire bylaws). Why? Your bylaws are a set of
legally binding rules which the chapter has adopted; they shouldn't be
changed on a whim. Parliamentary procedure is a set of rules intended to
make the business meeting run more smoothly, and to preserve the rights of
the minority while enacting the will of the majority. Rules can be
suspended as long as the actions taken are fair and "in good faith".
My opinions:
1) Changes in voting procedures should always require prior notice. If
chapters allow instant changes to the way votes are done, then some people
may try to take advantage of that precedent and cause mischief.
2) In common sense terms, the time to change the term of office was before
the nominations were opened. Doing it now changes the rules in midstream
and would force the nominations to be restarted (elections delayed until
Dec. 6 or 13).
In parliamentary sense, the issue has already been debated and defeated, so
proposing *the same motion* again would be out of order.
What should you do? This topic should be discussed by the entire chapter,
giving fair weight to both sides of the issue, at a time other than the
election meeting. Craft a solution that preserves the rights of both sides.
Good luck,
--Michael
At 8:56 AM -0500 11/21/1997, King Paul William I mentioned:
>anyway, on to my question. on Nov 9, our chapter held the first round of
>nominations for elections. in our chapter, the officers are elected
>annually for the calendar year. on Nov 9, some of our brothers moved to
>change the bylaws to allow semesterly elections, the motion failed. they
>then moved to suspend that rule, and that motion also failed. Nov 16 we
>held our second round of nominations, and no motions was made. now, this
>sunday, Nov 23, are our elections; and it has been brought to my attention
>that these brothers are going to make their motions again. they're hoping
>that our 9 new brothers, who got in on the 15, will sway the election.
>
>my question is this: are they in order to try and change how elections are
>done on the day of elections?
Michael Leahy michael.leahy@vt.edu
Zeta Beta Advisor
Reg. III Leadership Devel. Coord. home 540-951-4945
P. O. Box 11286 office 540-231-3272
Blacksburg, Virginia 24062-1286 fax 540-231-5922
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in
moments of comfort and convenience but where he stands at
times of challenge and controversy. --Martin Luther King Jr.
